Vodafone Ireland, in partnership with Dublin City Council (DCC), have announced that Vodafone’s Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) network has been selected as a key connectivity enabler to the Docklands Smart District – part of the wider Smart Dublin initiative.
A first of its kind in Ireland, the Docklands Smart District encourages innovation in the area by bringing together leading technology companies, research centres and other agencies with a focus on deploying the latest smart city innovations and connectivity across the quarter.
One of the first technologies being deployed on Vodafone’s NB-IoT network is a new product innovation which focuses on flood monitoring and response. Voguetek, an Irish SME based in Meath is developing low cost connected sensors that will use the new network to communicate potential gully blockages to the council before they become a hazard. The technology has the potential to be used across the country in urban and rural areas.
“Smart technology has the potential to radically change the way we live and work in Ireland and is vital if we are to achieve our ambitions of being able to compete on a truly global stage. I want to commend both Vodafone and Dublin City Council on enabling an innovation programme of this scale, which not only has the potential to transform the day-to-day lives of every citizen, business and community in Dublin, but the benefits this can have across Ireland are limitless. Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in Ireland’s journey to becoming a world leader in the development and deployment of Internet of Things innovations.” Denis Naughten T.D., Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
Vodafone & Dublin City Council have also announced a new innovation fund and support initiative worth over €50,000 for start ups that would like to utilise the new network test bed to develop Proof of Concept projects. It will be administered by Smart Dublin and DCU Alpha.
The supports and services on offer will include:
Calls to solve specific challenges will be announced through this page over the coming months.
Some examples are:
For more information please email info@smartdocklands.ie